Sometimes nature is all we need!
In this particular historic moment where almost the entire world is on lockdown, we are finding ourselves spending the entire day at home with only one-hour allowance to go out for exercise. Our homes are arguably the most important space in our lives, the place that we wake up to, where we set ourselves up for the day ahead and recently, also our working space. Home should also be the place where to relax and heal our body, mind and soul especially in a stressful situation like the one we have been living recently. So, where better place to harness the power of nature and its benefits on our mental health and physical wellbeing?
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF BIOPHILIC DESIGN?
Biophilia translates as “love of nature”. The Biophilia Hypothesis suggests that human possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. An American biologist, Edward Osborne Wilson, introduced and popularised the hypothesis in his book, Biophilia (1984) defining it as “an innate and genetically determined affinity of human being with the natural world”.
WHY IS BIOPHILIC DESIGN IMPORTANT IN OUR HOME?
The Biophilic Design approach is to incorporate nature into interiors either by including natural elements or simulating a natural environment indoor. The Biophilic Design's aim indeed, is to restore the bond between human beings and nature, which has been proven to bring loads of health benefits such as reduced stress, improved mood and cognitive functions, increased energy and creativity, positive impact on mental health issues like anxiety and depression. I would like to clarify that Biophilic Design is not a style. It is a major design element that can be used with any interior design style.
Having said that, let’s explain the benefits of incorporating nature at home following the Biophilic Design principles. We spend 90% of our time indoor. During the years we have become inside creatures spending less time outside in nature due also to our urban life. Stress levels are on the rise, massive proliferation of technology has changed our habits and we are constantly exposed to the blue light of our computers and mobiles, which get our brain over stimulated. We are not giving ourselves the time to recuperate energy and relax.
That’s why introducing nature into our living and working space can create a sanctuary of calmness and improve our overall health.
A report commissioned by Beyondblue (Beyond Blue to Green: The Benefits of Contact With Nature For Mental Health and Well-being) found contact with nature, including merely viewing a garden through a window, can enhance our health. Anthony Ashworth, holistic architect and interior designer says that bringing nature into our spaces can promote a greater sense of belonging and connection to our spirituality. In his own words: “We feel connected back to where we evolved from, connected with other life forms, a sense of home. Nature is what formed and raised us, the ancient, literal mother we come out of and from.”
HOW CAN WE INCORPORATE NATURE IN OUR HOME?
There are many ways we could bring the outside indoor in order to benefit from the healing power of nature.
Here 5 simple ways to do so.
BRING PLANTS INTO OUR SPACE
Placing plants in our home is the easiest way to bring the outdoor in and it is an excellent way to reconnect with nature. Live plants will not only purify the air, they will also promote a happy, peaceful atmosphere. A pop of greenery should especially be incorporated in spaces where we go to take a break. This simple trick helps us relax and recover. Furthermore, according to new research by the University of Melbourne one medium-sized indoor plant per 2.2 square metres will remove most indoor pollution. Surprisingly, it’s bacteria in the roots that does most of the work, so the bigger your pot the better.
USE NATURAL MATERIALS
Research studies show that using natural materials in our home, such as timber, stone, bamboo, rattan, cork and many more can reduce heart rates and increase productivity and wellbeing. According to Ashworth, a natural material is anything found in nature with little alteration from its natural state. “The more a material undergoes processing the less natural it is and therefore the less the biophilic effect.” As consumers we have to be aware of the toxic substances products have been treated with such as glues, pesticides and finishes. Theirs is no point, for example, in buying natural flooring if this gets treated with toxic varnish. There’s lots of lovely natural finishes — tung oil, beeswax, shellac and other finishes we can use. A key advantage of using natural materials is that they don’t off-gas toxic chemicals.
3. VARY THE AIR
It may sound simple but opening up all our windows now that we have to stay indoors for longer hours, will give us access to fresh air and allow us to experience the outdoors whilst being inside. It’s time to feel that cool breeze and hear the birds tweeting away! Also, a regular experience of temperature variation can help foster resilience in both adults and children.
4. LET THERE BE LIGHT
Increase natural light either buying specific lights that reproduce it or let light flood in. Why? Natural light is good for our circadian rhythms – our internal clock – helping us to feel more energised by day and sleep better at night. Having plenty of natural light in a room or home can radically change the way we feel about life and our home. Natural light is essential for good physical and mental health; it affects levels of hormones and patterns of sleep. We can bring the light into our home with skylights or by installing translucent curtains and venetian blinds in light colours that let more light in. However, as well as light, we need natural dark for sleeping better otherwise our body stops the production of serotonin (a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep) and that’s really cancer-producing and ageing. Lights in our bedrooms should be warm reds because they contain less of the blue-light spectrum associated with daylight and waking.
5.WATER
Have you ever noticed that in guided meditation tapes, there is always the sound of water? That’s because the calming sound of water is good for reducing stress and has restorative effects. “The sounds of the unnatural world are overly high or deep and low, like the hum of the air-conditioning or refrigerators,” Ashworth says. This can cause unease and low-level stress. Installing a water feature or playing a track of nature sounds can mask the unpleasant noises of traffic, technology and appliances.
So, what is not to love about bringing more nature into our homes?